Somerset Trojans squandered a chance to go back to the top of the First Division standings yesterday when they could do no better than split the points with lowly BAA at Somerset CC.

Although the West Enders remain serious contenders for the title, on this occasion they looked anything but championship material.

Against last placed BAA, who lacked any real thrust up front, the Trojans were expected to score a comfortable victory. But poor finishing led to their downfall.

A lacklustre Trojans side combined with an often ineffective BAA team made for an uninspiring and often dull afternoon of soccer.

The goals came either side of the break with Somerset going ahead through Jerry Webb after 42 minutes and BAA's Dennis Davis equalising after 63 minuutes.

Glaring misses by the home team cost them dearly, the first after just two minutes when Anthony Burchall blasted over from close range.

Play was competitive for the remainder of the half but the Trojans created more genuine chances, advancing deep into their opponents' half with relative ease. But a lack of finishing ideas let them down time and time again.

BAA, displaying fight and determination if nothing more, offered less of a threat up front where Davis and Tito Smith seldom worried the defence.

Craig Critchlow and Davis went wide with hurried shots and Curtis Grant and Webb did likewise for the Trojans before the deadlock was broken.

Somerset snatched the lead just before the break when right full back Anthony Burchall ran down the flank and crossed a ball that eluded the grasp of the advancing Dwayne Adams in BAA's goal. Webb was there to head home a simple goal from close range.

The Trojans threatened to build on that lead by increasing the pressure when play restarted but their efforts would be betrayed by some miserable finishing. Among the culprits were Webb, Steval Arorash, Grant, substitute Rudolph Butterfield and the usually reliable Reggie Tucker. Grant, Butterfield and Tucker all had glaring misses from less than 12 yards.

BAA accomplished little in the second half other than isolated counter asttacks and it was from one of of these raids that they equalised.

After 63 minutes midfielder Craig Critchlow raced down the right wing, escaped a desperate tackle by Duane DeRoza and crossed for the fleet-footed Davis who, gliding uncannily into open space, gained control and masterfully chipped the ball past goalkeeper Andre Hendrickson from an angle on the right.

Somerset Trojans: A.Hendrickson; A.Burchall (R.Butterfield, 45 mins), D.DeRoza, J.Burrows, A.Rahman; R.Tucker, S.Arorash, R.Simmons; C.Grant, R.Bascome, J.Webb (A.Brangman, 61 mins).

BAA: D.Adams; B.Benevides, T.Harvey, N.Correia, W.DeSilva; Cr.Critchlow (H.Shabir, 70 mins), M.DeMoura, A.Thompson; Cl.Critchlow (M.Martin, 66 mins), T.Smith, D.Davis.

Referee: Esten Curtis Men of the match: Duane DeRoza (Somerset); Norman Correia (BAA).